Advertise on podcast: Medicus

In this series, we are exploring the common and not-so-common specialties in medicine. Nuclear medicine sits at the crossroads of imaging and molecular science, revealing how disease behaves at a cellular level rather than just how it looks. In this episode, we explore how this often-overlooked specialty is shaping diagnosis, guiding therapy, and redefining the future of precision medicine. Dr. Erica Major is the Assistant Chief of Nuclear Medicine and Site Director of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Education at Edward Hines VA, where she oversees medical student and resident training. She holds multiple leadership positions in the American College of Nuclear Medicine and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and is a past member of the ACGME Residency Review Committee. Her primary interest is advancing the field of theranostics, which combines nuclear oncology with personalized cancer therapy.  You can contact Dr. Major at [email protected]  To learn more about nuclear medicine, check out these sources: https://acnmonline.org/ https://snmmi.org/  Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga Episode recording date: 4/2/26 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

What does it take to prepare healthcare providers for the cases they'll never see coming? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Croft, a fellowship-trained simulationist and emergency medicine physician, to explore the world of medical simulation. Dr. Croft breaks down what simulation actually is, why readiness, not perfection, is the ultimate goal, and how techniques borrowed from the aviation and oil drilling industries are reshaping how clinicians learn. We also dig into in situ simulation: what it means to run training scenarios inside a live hospital, how it uncovers hidden safety threats, and why it sometimes just takes a carafe of coffee to get everyone on board. Plus, Dr. Croft shares the story of Operation Cobra, a preparedness drill for one of the world's most dangerous snake bites. If you're curious about medical education, patient safety, or just want to know what a simulationist's week actually looks like, this one's for you.  Episode produced by: Griffin K Johnson Episode recording date: 01/28/2026 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

What actually happens when a US-trained physician packs up and moves their practice to another country? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Brock Andreatta, an anesthesiologist who has spent the last 11 years splitting his practice between the United States and the United Kingdom. Dr. Andreatta walks us through the year-long credentialing process required to practice in the NHS, the day-to-day differences in the OR, from anesthetic rooms to team briefs to the complete absence of billing codes, and what a nationalized healthcare system really looks like from the inside. Whether you're a med student curious about international medicine or just want an inside perspective of the NHS vs. the US healthcare system, this one is for you. Episode produced by: Griffin K Johnson Episode recording date: 01/27/2026 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

By their 4th year of medical school, most students have chosen one specialty - one path forward. But what if the career you actually want doesn’t fit neatly into a single box?  For students drawn to both the fast-paced, undifferentiated world of emergency medicine and the physiology- and pharmacology-driven world of anesthesiology, there was once a fork in the road. Now for some, that fork may not have to exist.  In this episode, we explore one of the most unique medical training pathways: combined emergency medicine and anesthesiology residency. What does it look like to train in two specialties at once? How do the two skill sets complement each other, and what kind of career options open up on the other side?  To learn about this, we spoke to Dr. David Leon, an anesthesiologist and emergency medicine physician at UC Davis Health in Sacramento, California. Episode produced by: Griffin K Johnson Episode recording date: 12/05/2025

In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. In this episode, we spoke with Jordan Meckel, PharmD, BCCCP about his journey to becoming a neurointensive care pharmacist and how pharmacists serve as an integral part of the healthcare team. Jordan Meckel is currently the Neurointensive Care Pharmacist at Loyola University Medical Center and an Affiliate Assistant Professor at Stritch School of Medicine. Jordan completed his undergraduate and pharmacy doctoral program at the University of Texas, Austin before completing his acute care and critical care residency training at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and becoming a Board Certified Critical Care Pharmacist (BCCCP). Working alongside physicians, nurses, dieticians, respiratory therapists, physical therapists and many other team members in the NeuroICU to optimize patient care, and save lives through shared decision making and research is what keeps him coming back every day. When not in the four walls of the hospital he enjoys getting outside whenever possible with his family and two dogs. Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga Episode recording date: 1/24/26 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this episode, we examine the complexities of neurodiversity within clinical environments and higher education. Dr. Devon Price discusses the nuances of masking, strategies for navigating academic systems as a neurodivergent individual, and the unique dynamics of concordant care, specifically when both the provider and the patient share neurodivergent identities. We also explore practical approaches for better supporting neurodivergent patients in the clinical setting to ensure more effective, identity-affirming healthcare. Devon Price, PhD, is a social psychologist, professor, author, and proud Autistic person. His research has appeared in journals such as the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and the Journal of Positive Psychology. Devon’s writing has appeared in outlets such as the Financial Times, HuffPost, Slate, Jacobin, Business Insider, LitHub, and on PBS and NPR. He lives in Chicago, where he serves as an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Episode produced by: Angeli Mittal Episode recording date: 01/29/2026 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

We heard stories of physicians practicing in the USA in a specialty different from the ones they originally trained in, perhaps even from a different country. In this episode, Dr. Czarnkowski shared with us about his journey of how he first got interested in medicine, then gynecological oncology, and finally to psychiatry as well as his insights and hopes for the field of psychiatry.  Trigger Warning: suicide Dr. Czarnkowski (Tscharnkoffsky), is an Affiliate Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and an Attending Psychiatrist at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, where he also serves as Director of Emergency Psychiatry Services and provides care in the Acute Recovery Clinic and outpatient mental health. He previously held faculty and consultation-liaison roles at the University of Illinois at Chicago and served at Advocate Christ Medical Center, including leadership of CL and Acute Inpatient Psychiatry services. Dr. Czarnkowski earned his medical degree from Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow, completed postgraduate training in gynecological oncology in Poland and the UK, and completed psychiatry residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is board certified in General Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. He’s clinician-educator, he teaches key residency curricula, supervises trainees and medical students across emergency and outpatient settings, and has received multiple institutional awards for teaching excellence including Dept. of Psychiatry Chairman’s Award for Dedication in Teaching and Resident’s Education and was a three time recipient of Wolf and Kettle Award. Episode produced by: Deborah Chen Episode recording date: 12/02/2025 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this mini series, we interview resident physicians to gain a deeper understanding into the responsibilities and challenges of their chosen specialty, and if their expectations as a medical student matched up with the realities of the field.  Our guest, Dr. Shawn Choe, is passionate about neurosurgery. In this episode, he shares his journey to deciding a career in neurosurgery, what the training is like, and advice on being prepared for residency. Shawn Choe, MD is a PGY-3 in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Loyola University Medical Center. Originally born in Korea and transplanted to Chicago, he calls Chicago his new home. After completing his undergraduate education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, he obtained his Master’s degree at Loyola University in Chicago and later his MD from the Stritch School of Medicine prior to starting his residency. While at Stritch, he was one of the producers for Medicus. Episode produced by: Angeli Mittal Episode recording date: 9/2/25 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

Dr. Daniel B. Martinez is a Chicago-born, board-certified psychiatrist and one of the leading voices in Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatry serving the greater Chicago area. He brings a deep understanding of cultural identity, immigration stress, and community mental health to his clinical work. He is the Founder and Medical Director of Comprehensive Clinical Services, P.C., and has dedicated over 25 years to expanding access to high-quality psychiatric care for diverse and underserved populations. Dr. Martinez trained at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, completed his General Psychiatry residency at Loyola Medical Center, and pursued subspecialty training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Northwestern University (Lurie Children’s Memorial Hospital). Since 2004, he has served as an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he teaches and mentors future clinicians. His expertise spans psychiatric evaluations and treatment, forensic and independent medical examinations, telepsychiatry, cross-cultural psychiatry, and community mental health innovation. He is also Vice President and founding board member of Dando La Mano, NFP, a nonprofit supporting youth, seniors, and community programs across Illinois. A respected educator, speaker, and mental-health advocate, Dr. Martinez is committed to elevating mental-health awareness in the Hispanic community and bridging cultural gaps in care. He is married and the father of four children, which grounds his work in both professional excellence and personal understanding of family and child development. Dr. Martinez has his own podcasts in which he goes into his life stories with greater details. A Dan Good Podcast (English)- https://www.youtube.com/@ADanGoodPodcast-k1v Un café con el psiquiatra (Spanish)- https://open.spotify.com/show/5tHdvX5oV3hlHGqG4GDt3b?si=19b931349b304f10 Episode produced by: Khoi Huynh Episode recording date: 12/10/2024 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this new mini series, we interview resident physicians to gain a deeper understanding into the responsibilities and challenges of their chosen specialty, and if their expectations as a medical student matched up with the realities of the field. Our guest, Dr. Farinoosh Dadrass, shares what life is like as a dermatology resident and surprises she has encountered in her training. Farinoosh Dadrass, MD is a PGY-3 dermatology resident at Loyola University Medical Center. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, and completed a preliminary internal medicine year at the University of Illinois Chicago.  To learn more about the field of dermatology and how to set yourself up for success to match into this specialty, please visit: https://www.aad.org/member/education/residents/medical-students  https://www.aad.org/member/career/diversity/pathways/medical-students  https://skinofcolorsociety.org/resources/student-resources/how-to-get-a-dermatology-residency  Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga Episode recording date: 11/25/25 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

I spoke with Dr. Elaine Cheng, a neonatologist at Loyola, to learn about her experiences with navigating the challenges she faces in the NICU and how it’s shaped her perspective on striking the balance between being clinically efficient while consistently being supportive and empathetic towards patients and families. Episode produced by: Anumitha Aravindan Episode recording date: 11/10/25 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

As ICE raids escalate across Chicago, hospitals and clinics have become sites of risk and confrontation for immigrants seeking healthcare. What happens when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents enter a place of healing? What are a doctor's rights - and a patient's - when the line between care and enforcement blurs? To learn more about this, I spoke with Dr. Amy Blair and Dr. Monica Maalouf, two physicians and patient advocates in the Chicagoland area. For resources about sanctuary doctoring, you can visit the link below:  https://www.luc.edu/stritch/bioethics/medicaleducation/sanctuarydoctor/ Episode produced by: Griffin K Johnson Episode recording date: 11/04/2025 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. In this episode, we spoke with pathologists’ assistant Alyssha Glass about her journey into this unique specialty and the role of pathologists’ assistants in healthcare.  Alyssha Glass is a Chicago-based pathologists’ assistant who focuses on hospital autopsy. She is a graduate of Rosalind Franklin University and has been in the field of pathology for 8 years. With a passion for patient care and teaching, she spends her days teaching residents, medical students, and pathologists’ assistant students the art of autopsy and the unique specialty of pathology. To find out more about a career as a Pathologists’ Assistant, please visit www.pathassist.org.  If you would like to contact Alyssha, please reach out to us at [email protected] so that we may connect you. Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga Episode recording date: 10/9/25 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

Cultural humility is a lifelong practice of self-reflection, openness, and respect for the diverse backgrounds of the families we serve. Unlike cultural competence, which can imply mastering knowledge about “other cultures,” cultural humility emphasizes curiosity, listening, and shared decision-making. In pediatrics, this is especially important because care involves both the child and the family, whose cultural values strongly shape health beliefs and practices. Today’s discussion is an opportunity to reflect together: how do we approach cultural humility in pediatrics, and what steps can we take to deepen it in our daily practice? Dr. Ana Aguilar, DO is originally from Loveland, OH. She went to Transylvania University where she did not major in Blood-Sucking and Shadow-Walking, but instead earned a dual degree in Molecular Biology and Anthropology. She attended Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and is a very recent Loyola graduate, now completing a chief year with her best friend and co-chief, Dr. Sana Moqeet, MD. In her spare time, Ana enjoys reading, solving puzzles, writing and denying vampire allegations. Episode produced by: Deborah Chen Episode recording date: 09/11/2025 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate

In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. In this episode, we spoke with paramedic Joseph Castello about his journey into the world of emergency medical services and the role of paramedics in healthcare.  Joseph Castello has been a paramedic for over 22 years and served with the Chicago Fire Department for 20 years. He has also taught and served as a simulation technician for nursing and medical students at Loyola University Chicago for the last 10 years. To explore careers in emergency medical services, visit https://www.naemt.org/about-ems/careers  Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga Episode recording date: 7/17/25 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate